SEASIDE, Calif. — Freshman guard Stephen Matthews (Elk Grove/Sacramento HS) exploded for a team season–high 23 points, but it wasn't enough for Cal State Monterey Bay to overcome a shaky defensive effort in a 95–74 loss to Cal State East Bay Friday night in The Kelp Bed.

CSUMB allowed East bay to shoot 62 percent for the game and that stat alone told the tale Friday night. Nevertheless, the Otters kept it close for 28 minutes until a 13–3 Pioneer run midway through the second half blew the game open.

In addition to Matthews' 23, the Otters got 12 points from freshman guard Jahvon Johnson (Clovis North HS) and 10 from freshman Kevin Warren (Oakland/St. Mary's HS). Micah Dunhour led East Bay with a game–high 26 points.
 

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THE GAME WAS STATISTICALLY OVER WHEN… A 3–pointer by East Bay's Juwan Anderson made it 82–58 with 5:54 to play.

A NEW LEADER IN THE CLUBHOUSE… The 23–point night by Stephen Matthews was the highest by any Otter through seven games this season. It eclipsed the 22 points scored by fellow freshman Kevin Warren at Point Loma on Nov. 19.

THE LITTLE ONES SHALL LEAD THEM… With the entire senior class on track to medically redshirt the season, the Otter padawans continue to lead th was. Friday night—topped by Stephen Matthews' 23 points—58 of CSUMB's 74 total points (78.3 percent) came from freshmen.

LEADERS OF THE RAFT… POINTS: Stephen Matthews 23; REBOUNDS: Gregg Polosky/Shawn Smith 5; ASSISTS: Jahvon Johnson 3; BLOCKS: Julien Ducree 2; STEALS: Shawn Smith 2.

THE LAST WORD… "He was aggressive tonight, which is good. He took some good shots. We need him to shoot the ball. He's capable of scoring. This is a building block offensively for him." – CSUMB Head Coach Rob Bishop on freshman guard Stephen Matthews

THEY'VE GOT NEXT… The Otters conclude their 4–game homestand by hosting Cal State San Bernardino Saturday night at 7:30 p.m.